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Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Time and Again ~ Charlotte of Miles Station by Deborah Heal ~ review

About the book:

Perfect Paperback: 256 pages

Publisher: Tate Publishing (January 24, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1613466692

ISBN-13: 978-1613466698

If Only the Walls of the Old House Could Talk. . .

Tutoring an eleven-year-old for the summer seemed like the perfect college service project for Abby Thomas. But that was before she found herself in a dilapidated old house in Nowhereville, trying to teach Merrideth—a sullen girl who doesn’t want her help. All she has is a pile of useless, musty old books, and Merrideth’s definitely not interested.

But who says the only way to teach is with books? When they discover a freaky program on their new computer, history comes alive in ways that Abby and Merrideth could never expect. But is this program only the creative genius of some computer nerd—or are they really seeing Charlotte Miles, the girl who lived in their house 160 years before?

Their friends just laugh when they try to explain. But if it really is Charlotte, Abby and Merrideth must find a way to warn her about the danger waiting in the woods behind their house.

Time and Again: Charlotte at Miles Station is a story told in the past and in the present. A story of three girls—their perspectives, their relationships, and their journey of self-discovery and faith.

My take on this book:

Abby Thomas plans on being a teacher so she thinks tutoring an eleven year old girl would be the perfect summer project for college.She travels from Chicago to Miles Station to spend the summer with Merrideth, the girl whom she will be tutoring. Thing is Merrideth and her mother Pat only recently moved to Miles Station,because of divorce, inheriting an old house couldn't have come at a better time. Merrideth misses her father, and the last thing she wants is a tutor for the summer, and her attitude proves it. Abby is determined to reach Merrideth,and tries to come up with different ideas, when a computer program allows them to connect with the past, it just might be the thing to help Merrideth connect to her present and future.

I really loved this book!!! It was a greatastic story that pulled me in from the beginning pages. I loved the characters of the story. Merrideth was such a deep character, even though she was only eleven, she was really carrying around alot of pain.She missed her father,and really felt like it was her fault that her parents separated, and that her mom wasn't home. Although she hid these feelings well, instead coming off with an I don't care attitude.I loved watching her find her self worth as the story progressed. Abby was just what Merrideth needed, although in the beginning she really didn't think so. The secondary characters really added depth to the story, I could just picture young Michael, and Mrs Arnold was a bit eccentric but quite likable.It was so easy to become invested in Charlotte's life even though it took place over 150 years ago. I also enjoyed the relationship that started to develop with Abby and John,and hope we might see more of this in a future story.

While the characters really made an impression on me it was the plot that really grabbed my attention. I thought Ms. Heal did an amazing job of transitioning between the past and present,while weaving a bit of history into the story. What really made the story unique was how she brought the past to life via a computer program, or at least it seemed like a program in the beginning, but as the story progresses we see a more supernatural element taking place. The fact that Ms. Heal even takes the time to weave in some positive christian messages really takes this book to a whole different level. While this book is geared toward teens,I think that anyone who enjoys reading contemporary and historical fiction woven together will certainly enjoy this book. On a scale of one to five I would easily give this book a six! Highly recommended.